Tashmoo House

Harbor Homes of MV opened its door to
program participants who were homeless in June 2020.

Harbor Homes Congregate House

In February 2020, Harbor Homes of MV purchased its first congregate house in Vineyard Haven. It is a fully renovated, six-bedroom home that houses adults who were formerly homeless or imminently at risk of becoming homeless. Program participants pay a monthly program fee ($450/month), contribute to the maintenance of the house, and have access to a case manager who provides resource and referral services and support.

Harbor Homes's primary goal is to acquire properties that will offer transitional housing and life skills education to individuals and families who face homelessness. Harbor Homes is a strengths-based program that supports our neighbors as they transition from poverty and hopelessness to self-sufficiency and re-engagement in the community, as employees, parents, neighbors, and volunteers.

Expectations of Program Participants

Each program participant will sign a contract that details Harbor Home program expectations. The contract provides Harbor Home with the opportunity to be transparent with program participants about living arrangements, financial and social expectations, life skills programming and the termination policy.

All Harbor Homes program participants must:

Be able and willing to live with other adults in a cooperative and respectful fashion.
Respect the privacy of other program participants.
Refrain from bringing illegal drugs, marijuana, alcohol or weapons of any kind into the residence.
Refrain from smoking in the house.
Not share prescription drugs with anyone else.
Not have overnight guests.
Limit daytime guests to the number and visiting times designated at each house.
Help maintain the property and keep room clean
Comply with all house rules.
Pay a monthly program fee of $450.

Life Skills Component

Harbor Homes offers program participants the support and opportunity to strengthen a range of skills that will enhance their employability and inclusion in the community. The residence provides a safe and secure environment where individuals can begin to assess their lives, maintain a successful residency and set personal goals.

Harbor Homes promotes “lifelong learning.” First, it reintroduces formerly homeless adults to the routines and responsibilities of living in a community. This includes maintaining basic hygiene, doing laundry, assisting with cleaning and chores, planning meals, food shopping, paying toward program upkeep, etc.

Second, with the support of the house case manager, the program is self-governed by adults who come to appreciate the importance of developing social competency skills including conflict resolution, cooperative decision making, appropriate and assertive communication, positive interpersonal relationships, empathy, and teamwork in order to reside comfortably together.

Lastly, the Harbor Homes case manager will offer to support program participants in developing prevocational skills that are important in attaining and sustaining employment. These include practicing good personal hygiene, dressing appropriately for work, interviewing for a job, being responsible, reliable, and dependable at work, taking pride in one’s work, accepting authority and being a team player, exhibiting a good attitude, following directions, and being eager to learn.

Low income and/or homeless individuals are often disenfranchised from educational and employment opportunities. Once housed, they may need encouragement from staff and volunteers to reengage in the learning process. Harbor Homes will offer program participants opportunities to identify their personal skills and interests and practice problem solving and decision making in daily life. Each house will have internet and computer access available to program participants. In addition, the community will provide a supportive environment that fosters self confidence, promotes healthy interpersonal relationships, and instills hope – the foundations for successful engagement in the community and employment.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for Harbor Homes:

Adults at least 18 years of age
Income at or below 30% of the Median Family Income (MFI) for Dukes County
Homeless or imminently at risk of becoming homeless
Able to contribute to the maintenance and expenses of the house.

Apply Here

Intake

The facility will house adults who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Eligible individuals will have very low incomes and may have disabling health or mental health conditions.

All potential program participants will participate in an interview procedure that helps screen applicants. The purpose is twofold. First, to allow candidates to tour Harbor Homes, visualize living arrangements and discuss program expectations. Second, this meeting allows staff an opportunity to help identify those individuals who may benefit from the program.

Individuals who are interested in applying for Harbor Homes should request, complete and submit an application to the

Harbor Homes Director

P.O. Box 4795

Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

The applications will be reviewed by the Harbor Homes Director and the Harbor Homes Case Manager to determine if they meet the threshold eligibility criteria.